Wizards center Marcin Gortat has made no secret of his rooting interests in the NCAA Tournament. He's been cheering hard for Gonzaga's Polish center Przemek Karnowski, who is his backup on the Polish national basketball team.

And just because the Zags lost in the National Championship last night didn't mean Gortat was done hyping up his friend. After the game went final, the Polish Machine took to Twitter to try to put Karnowski's accomplishments in perspective.

My boi @PKarnowski u made everybody proud in ur country!U r part of great history!U become a great human and ball player! Super proud!!

Karnowski was a big part of Gonzaga's run through the Tournament, both literally (he's 7-1 and 300 pounds) and strategically, using his size and strength in the paint. His bushy beard and mountainous figure made him a kind of playing mascot for the Zags.

Watching the game last night, Gortat and others taped cut-outs in the shape of Karnowski's beard to their faces.

Gonzaga and UNC traded shots within a single-basket margin of each other for most of the super-competitve game, but the Tar Heels found a way to hang on to a lead in the final moments to win. Karnowski couldn't get his shot to fall all evening, hitting only one of eight attempts from the floor.

The 23-year-old senior finished with 9 points (hitting 7 of 9 free throws) and 9 rebounds in the loss.

Whether Karnowski makes it to the NBA now could come down to his build, as Gortat said in an interview with For The Win. But one thing's for sure: He made his countryman proud.

On the latest episode of the Wizards Tipoff podcast presented by Greenberg and Bederman, Chris Miller caught up with Michigan star Moe Wagner after his workout with the Wizards.

Chris and Chase Hughes also gave their impressions of the first prospects to come in for pre-draft workouts, including which guys are most likely to be Wizards. One of those prospects is a point guard and a likely first round pick. Chase and Chris explain why that's not a crazy idea, even considering the presence of John Wall on their roster.

The Wizards will hold their third pre-draft workout on Thursday at Capital One Arena, this time featuring four local standouts out of the six players attending. Highlighting that group is Yuta Watanabe of George Washington, the Atlantic-10 Defensive Player of the Year.

Here is the full list with notes on each player...

Phillip Carr, F, Morgan State (6-9, 205)

Carr averaged 13.7 points and 9.3 rebounds this past season at Morgan State in Maryland. He shot 84.6 percent from the free throw line, excellent for a big man.

Potential fit with Wizards: candidate for summer league or G-League team as undrafted free agent

James Daniel III, G, Tennessee (6-0, 172)

Originally from Hampton, Va., Daniel III played four years at Howard University in D.C. before transferring to Tennessee as a redshirt senior. He was the MEAC Player of the Year in his last healthy season at Howard. Daniel III averaged 5.6 points in 35 games for the Volunteers.

Potential fit with Wizards: candidate for summer league or G-League team as undrafted free agent

Marcus Derrickson, F, Georgetown (6-7, 250)

Derrickson hails from nearby Bowie, Md. He played three years with the Hoyas and averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and shot 46.5 percent from three this past season.

Potential fit with Wizards: candidate for summer league or G-League team as undrafted free agent

Junior Etou, F, Tulsa (6-8, 235)

Originally from the Republic of Congo, Etou went to high school at Bishop O'Connell in Arlington, Va. He is Serge Ibaka's cousin and didn't start playing basketball until he was 15. Etou averaged 15.0 points and 7.9 rebounds this past season.

Potential fit with Wizards: candidate for summer league or G-League team as undrafted free agent

Junior Robinson, G, Mount St. Mary's (5-5, 150)

The Northeast Conference Player of the Year, Robinson averaged 22.0 points and 4.8 assists this past season. He was a four-year starter at Mount St. Mary's.

Potential fit with Wizards: candidate for summer league or G-League team as undrafted free agent

Yuta Watanabe, F, George Washington (6-9, 205)

One of the best basketball players to ever come from Japan, Watanabe was a defensive standout for the Colonials who developed into a solid scorer by his senior year. This past season, he averaged 16.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. He is known in Japan as 'The Chosen One' and both of his parents played basketball professionally. NBC Sports Washington first reported he would work out with the Wizards this week.

Potential fit with Wizards: candidate for summer league or G-League team as undrafted free agent; best chance for NBA is as defensive specialist